I have been concentrating on furthering organizational learning theory (Peter Senge and Chris Argyris), and in contributing to the development of complexity leadership theory (Mary Uhl-Bien and Russ Marion). Central to my research in both developing and using those theories is applying the praxis of W. Barnett Pearce's coordinated management of meaning theory. Consequently, my research is decidedly rooted in a social-constructionist ontology, from which I hope to expand knowledge and application of organizational development that springs from the contributions of all organizational members. The potential areas of impact of this research include Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Human Resources Management, and Organizational Quality.

Education

B.S., Business Management/Finance, University of Maryland University College

MBA, Business Management, DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management

Ph.D., Organization and Management, Capella University

Licensure(s)

Areas Of Expertise

Awards

Franklin University Teaching Excellence Award, Franklin University, May 2014Franklin University Teaching Excellence award for outstanding teaching. Selection is based on available data including student surveys and feedback as well as lead faculty member&rsquo;s recommendation.

CTU Student Experience Award, Colorado Technical University, May 2014Awarded to faculty from the Provost for outstanding service and commitment to student service and success.

Select Publications

Dayton, D. K. (2012, August). The social construction of organizational learning: Examining the epistemology of master degree curricula. Academy of Management Annual Conference. (Winner of the Barry Armandi Award for Best Paper in Management Education and Development).

Q&A

Q: Please describe your teaching.

A: Teaching is a natural extension of the research that I am currently conducting in Organizational Quality, and Organizational Communications, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership. I have a strong commitment to heightening the scholarly and philosophical level of education in management curricula, by challenging the students’ critical thinking and building upon the social-constructionist nature of human communication that is so endemic to management and organizational quality. Consequently, the courses I teach challenge the students to think outside the box, moving beyond a transactional learning paradigm (inherent to information-centered instruction) to a transformational learning paradigm, deeply imbued with learning-centered philosophy. The curricula of courses that lend themselves well to this teaching philosophy include Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Organizational Theory and Behavior, and Management Theory and Practice.